Runner-Up is a Mega-Lite Coaster based off the ones built in 2008 and 2009. It is teal track with grey supports and two orange trains. It is around 100-105 ft tall and goes around 50 mph.
Legend is a Mega Coaster based of the ones built from 1999-2003 (mainly 1999-2000). It is magenta track with grey supports and two blue trains. It is 207-208 ft tall and goes 75 mph. It is over 5,000 ft in length and has a super large helix.
Epic is a Giga Coaster based off of Intimidator 305 built in 2010. Not much of it is complete yet. However I know it's 305 ft tall and goes 90 mph. Also, it is grey track with gold/orange supports and two gold/orange trains.
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| The three roller coasters together. Note: Project is not completed yet. |
Now in an earlier post, I was talking about the inspiration for the Giga Coaster. I was there to ride it.
Intimidator 305. The inspiration for Epic.
Now the trip I took to Kings Dominion I believe was back in 2011. During summer vacation, me and my dad went to Washington DC for a few days to see the National Mall and a few other things. A few days before we left, we were talking about the Intimidator 305. I looked it up on the internet. My dad asks me where it is, I reply with Virginia. So my dad thought it might be fun to go to Kings Dominion since it is only around an hour away.
I look up Kings Dominion and then another park in Maryland called Six Flags America. The Six Flags park was closer to DC. However some of the rides did not look as good as the ones at Kings Dominion. What also made my decision was the Intimidator 305.
Me on the Eiffel Tower observation deck
So me and my dad decided to go to Kings Dominion after all. We had the first few days in DC. Then on the last full day, we got a rental car and drove down to the park. It's just off of Interstate 95 in a little town named Doswell. Kings Dominion is home to 14 roller coasters and also has a 1/3 scale Eiffel Tower replica standing at over 300 feet tall. The only other amusement park that has an Eiffel Tower replica would be Kings Island in Ohio.
Now some general information about Intimidator 305 would be its height of 305 feet, top speed of 90 mph, and is 5,100 ft long. Intimidator 305 is also known for its high speed turns and twists as well as those short moments of airtime.
An interesting story about this ride would be its first turn. When Intimidator 305 opened in 2010, riders have experienced blackouts while riding. This happens on the first turn of the ride due to how strong the G-forces are. The turn looks wide, but it is tight enough where G-forces get really strong. Strong enough where your vision goes black or grey. The first idea to resolve the issue was to add trim brakes on the first drop. Slowing down the ride from its original speed of 92 mph to somewhere around 80 mph. Didn't work. During the off season, the first turn was re-profiled and the trim brakes were removed. This brought the ride back to a top speed of 90 mph. I was there after the turn was re-profiled. Still, the G-forces were strong enough where I was blacking out. And let me tell you, this was the only roller coaster I've ever been on that has blacked out my vision.
Intimidator 305 & Anaconda.
Volcano, The Blast Coaster.
Dominator.
Shockwave.
Now my personal top five coasters at Kings Dominion would be:
1. Volcano, The Blast Coaster
Pros: It is a very interesting theme. I like how you shoot out the top of the volcano.
Cons: The ride was too short and the line got too long.
2. Intimidator 305
Pros: Super fast. It whips you around corners. Obviously, one of the best rides at Kings Dominion.
Cons: I blacked out on the first turn due to strong G-forces (kind of a pro than a con to me).
3. Dominator
Pros: The track is underneath you with no floor for your feet. There's also many Inversions.
Cons: Over the shoulder restraints.
4. Flight of Fear
Pros: It is completely enclosed and is dark inside. Has a really tangled and knotted layout.
Cons: I barely fit under the lap bar. It was only locked in by like one or two clicks.
5. Shockwave
Pros: You stand up while riding.
Cons: Old and rough. And again, barely fit into the harness.
It was a super fun day and it was the highlight of my DC trip. If I ever go back to Washington DC however, I'm going to spend more time seeing the city's history instead of visiting an amusement park because I kind of missed out on some rich American history. But you know what? Kings Dominion was well worth it.
I'll get working on my project now so I can show you the finished product later on. That's all I have for now and thanks for reading.
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